In this blog post, we will look at how non-digestible maltodextrin helps to manage diabetes by delaying the absorption of sugar and alleviating the rise in blood sugar after a meal.
According to the 10th edition of the 2021 “Diabetes Atlas” by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), there are approximately 537 million adults aged 20-79 with diabetes worldwide, which is about 10.5% of the total adult population. This increasing trend is expected to continue, reaching approximately 643 million people (11.3%) by 2030 and approximately 783 million people (12.2%) by 2045. Diabetes is not just a problem of blood sugar levels, but can also cause serious complications such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney disease, which can lead to death. In particular, about 30 to 40 percent of people with diabetes are at risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). For this reason, diabetes is considered a scourge of humanity that goes beyond individual health issues and places a huge burden on national healthcare finances. If various complications caused by an imbalance in glucose absorption are not managed, they can cause fatal health problems.
The reason why diabetes is so scary is that the glucose remaining in the blood gradually damages the walls of blood vessels and causes chronic inflammation throughout the body. If blood sugar remains high, blood becomes sticky, slowing blood flow, and blood vessels gradually become stiff or damaged. This can lead to problems in the kidneys, eyes, and nervous system, which are full of small blood vessels. Diabetes can damage eyesight, impair kidney function, and even lead to amputations due to insufficient blood supply to toes and fingers. As the risk of these complications increases, the importance of controlling blood sugar levels becomes even more important. Therefore, many people are aware of the importance of understanding and preventing diabetes, and are making efforts to improve their lifestyle through healthy eating habits and regular exercise.
Diabetes is often referred to as the “rich man’s disease” because it is caused by excessive consumption of nutrients. In the past, when it was difficult to obtain fatty foods, diabetes was mainly suffered by aristocrats, and historically, there are records of many diabetes patients among the aristocratic society and royalty of France. In fact, it is known that King Cheoljong and King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty also suffered from diabetes. However, this trend has been changing in modern times, and westernized eating habits and unbalanced lifestyles are now considered to be the main causes of diabetes. Eating fatty and sugary foods and a lifestyle lacking in physical activity are major factors that increase blood sugar levels and the risk of diabetes.
So how does diabetes occur? When we eat, food is broken down into glucose through the digestion process. When this glucose is absorbed into the blood, it enters the cells and is used as energy with the help of a hormone called insulin. However, if blood sugar levels become excessively high due to excessive consumption or lack of exercise, the pancreas tries to deal with this by secreting large amounts of insulin. However, if the overload continues, insulin resistance gradually develops, making it difficult to control blood sugar levels. At this point, the remaining glucose in the blood maintains a high blood sugar level, putting a strain on blood vessels and various organs, leading to various complications.
Oligosaccharides are emerging as a new alternative for diabetes management. Oligosaccharides are indigestible components that help to moderate blood sugar levels by making it more difficult to digest. This substance was developed by a Japanese food manufacturer by extracting it from corn starch. Corn contains moisture, carbohydrates, minerals, and fiber, and one type of this fiber is non-digestible maltodextrin. After years of research, the researchers developed a patented method to extract a tiny amount of non-digestible ingredients from hundreds of corn cobs, and discovered that the maltodextrin separated in the process is effective in lowering blood sugar. Because it is a food ingredient, it has few side effects and can be used safely, so it is used as a dietary supplement in many countries around the world.
One of the main functions of indigestible maltodextrin is to alleviate the sharp rise in blood sugar levels after a meal. When we eat, glucose is usually quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, but maltodextrin delays this absorption process, preventing a sudden spike in blood sugar. This is because maltodextrin is difficult to absorb in the small intestine, especially because the digestive enzyme amylase cannot break down this substance, making it effective for controlling blood sugar. In fact, Mizushima et al. (2000) found that 10 men with slightly high blood sugar levels reduced their fasting blood sugar levels after consuming a drink containing indigestible dextrin for 12 weeks. In addition, studies by Kawasaki (2000) and Sekizaki (2001) have confirmed that postprandial blood sugar rises are suppressed, and this has been proven to have a positive effect not only on diabetics but also on people with impaired glucose tolerance.
Products containing maltodextrin are particularly attracting attention in Korea. Maltodextrin, which was developed in Japan, was certified by the Korea Food and Drug Administration as a “functional food ingredient for lowering blood sugar” in 2005. In response, CJ CheilJedang, a food company in Korea, launched instant rice for controlling blood sugar based on this substance in August 2013. This instant rice is coated with non-digestible maltodextrin to help control blood sugar levels, compared to regular cooked rice. This can be a great help for people who need to control their blood sugar levels, and it is becoming an option for people to take care of their health while eating a delicious meal easily.
Oligosaccharides are now becoming a useful alternative not only for diabetics but also for anyone who wants to manage their blood sugar levels. Consuming foods with this substance has a positive effect on blood sugar management because it suppresses the rise in blood sugar and maintains the balance of glucose and insulin in the body. This technological advancement gives new hope to people with diabetes, and various foods using indigestible maltodextrin are gradually spreading to a wider market.
